Photo of Penstemon venustus flower by Panayoti Kelaidis

Photo by Panayoti Kelaidis

Used with permission, all rights reserved

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Penstemon venustus

Also Known As

  • Beautiful Penstemon
  • Blue Mt. Penstemon
  • Lovely Penstemon
  • Venus Penstemon

Plant type

perennial

size

  • H: 1'-4'
  • W: 16"-18"

planting zones

  • 5a-10b

More Options

Penstemon venustus plant details

Penstemon venustus is a broadleaf semi-evergreen perennial with green foliage. In summer purple flowers emerge. Attracts hummingbirds. Grows well with sun and regular - occasional water. Does well in rich, rocky and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something for erosion control and verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Penstemon venustus

Plant type: perennial
Plant family: plantaginaceae
Foliage: semi-evergreen green
Mature size: 16 IN - 18 IN - wide, 1 FT - 4 FT - tall
Flowers: purple blooms in summer
Uses: border plant, native plant, rock garden

GROWING CONDITIONS for Penstemon venustus

USDA Zones: 5a - 10b
Sun exposure: sun
Watering frequency: regular - occasional
Resistant to: erosion and verticillium wilt
Soil needs: rich, rocky and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Latin for charming & attractive, "Venustus" will charm your pants off with her bounty of tubular 20" long amethyst purple blooms early to mid-Summer. Native to dry, rocky open areas, gravelly slopes & dry canyons from the southwest tip of Washington to the northwest corner of Oregon & the center of the Idaho panhandle, it's a sweet option for mountainside gardens & erosion control. Total hummingbird magnet! Awesome drainage is a must & rich soil is best. Cut back to 2" in Winter. To 2-4' high & 18" wide.

By: Annie's Annuals & Perennials

Gardening facts about Penstemon venustus plant

How to Grow Penstemon venustus

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun
  • Water Needs

    • regular - occasional
  • Soil Needs

    • well-drained
    • rich
    • rocky
  • Special Situation

    • erosion control
    • verticillium wilt resistant

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • green
  • Flower Color

    • purple
  • Wildlife

    • hummingbirds
  • Flower Season

    • summer
  • Foliage Season

    • semi-evergreen

See other plant types of Penstemon for your garden

aka Penstemon ambiguus subsp. laevissimus, Pink Plains Beardtongue

Plant Type

Perennial

Zones

7a-9b

Size

Height: 9"-12"

Width: 12"-18"

  • sun
  • occasional
Photo of Penstemon ambiguus var. laevissimus close-up, flower by Stan Shebs
View Plant

aka Pinto Beardtongue

Plant Type

Perennial

Zones

8a-10b

Size

Height: 2'-4'

Width: 2'-3'

  • sun
  • occasional - drought tolerant
Photo of Penstemon bicolor close-up, flower by Stan Shebs
View Plant

aka Pinto Beardtongue

Plant Type

Perennial

Zones

8a-10b

Size

Height: 2'-4'

Width: 2'-3'

  • sun - mostly sun
  • regular - drought tolerant
Photo of Penstemon bicolor subsp. roseus close-up, flower by Stan Shebs
View Plant

aka Firecracker Penstemon

Plant Type

Perennial

Zones

6a-10b

Size

Height: 2'

Width: 8"-14"

  • sun
  • low - drought tolerant
Photo of Penstemon eatonii flower, form by Stan Shebs
View Plant

More Options

aka Lilac Beardstongue, Lilac Penstemon

Plant Type

Perennial

Zones

3a-9b

Size

Height: 8"-24"

Width: 8"-24"

  • sun
  • regular
Photo of Penstemon gracilis close-up, flower by Stan Shebs
View Plant
+227 more Penstemon
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